Post-PRP Care and Process: What Should Be Done?

Post-PRP Care and Process: What Should Be Done?

Post-PRP Care – PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy is a biological and natural method that uses the body’s own healing power to revitalize hair follicles and slow down hair loss. The success of the treatment depends not only on the injection procedure performed by our specialists at the clinic but also on your diligence and adherence to the correct care steps after the session. To ensure that the injected growth factors can create the maximum effect on the hair follicles, it is necessary to provide them with an ideal healing environment. This guide, prepared by the Görkem Kazan Hair Transplant clinic, explains step-by-step what you should do and what you should avoid during the post-PRP therapy process to get the best return on your investment.

The post-PRP care process is not complex or challenging; on the contrary, it is based on a few simple but critical rules. Understanding the scientific rationale behind these rules will help you manage the care process more consciously. Remember, PRP is not a drug but a repair signal at the cellular level. This signal needs time and the right conditions to reach its target and fulfill its mission.

Part 1: Immediately After Treatment (The First 24 Hours) – The Critical Period

This period is the most delicate phase where the injected platelet-rich plasma begins to spread into the scalp and release growth factors.

Normal Symptoms (Do Not Worry):

• Slight redness and tenderness on the scalp.
• Minimal swelling or a feeling of tightness at the injection points.
• A mild headache that may last for a few hours after the treatment.

These symptoms are completely normal and are a sign that the body is initiating the healing process. They usually subside on their own within a few hours.

What You Absolutely Should Not Do:

• Washing or Wetting the Hair: Do not wash your hair, get it wet, or take a shower for the first 24 hours. This allows the micro-injection holes to close completely and the plasma to be fully distributed under the skin.
• Heavy Exercise and Intense Activities: Avoid any activities that cause sweating or increase blood pressure (cardio, weightlifting, etc.). Sweat can increase the risk of infection, and increased blood flow can trigger swelling.
• Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol has a blood-thinning effect. Consuming alcohol in the first 24 hours can increase the risk of bruising or bleeding at the injection points.
• Touching or Scratching the Scalp: To prevent the risk of infection due to bacteria on our hands, absolutely avoid touching or scratching your scalp.

Part 2: The First 3 Days – The Delicate Care Process

During this period, the scalp continues to repair itself, and tenderness gradually decreases.

• First Hair Wash: You can wash your hair for the first time 24 hours after the treatment. During washing, use lukewarm water and a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo recommended by your doctor. Touch your scalp with your fingertips using very soft massaging motions, not your nails. Avoid harsh rubbing.
• Sun Protection: Avoid exposing your scalp to direct sunlight for the first 3 days. If you need to go outside, wear a hat that does not put pressure on your head.
• Avoiding Chemical Products: Do not use styling products containing chemicals, such as hair spray, gel, or mousse, for the first 3 days.
• Ice Application: If you still have mild swelling or tenderness, you can apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to your forehead or neck area at short intervals. Never place ice directly on the injection area.

Part 3: The Long-Term Process Until the Next Session

The success of PRP treatment is directly related to your lifestyle and care habits in the period between sessions. This process aims to maximize the biological effect of the treatment.

• Healthy Nutrition: You must provide your body with the building blocks necessary for hair follicle revitalization. A diet rich in Protein (meat, fish, legumes), Iron, Zinc, and B vitamins enhances the effectiveness of PRP.
• Smoking: Smoking slows down blood circulation by constricting blood vessels. While the main purpose of PRP treatment is to increase blood flow, smoking directly sabotages this effect. Quitting or minimizing smoking during the treatment process seriously affects the quality of the results. Health authorities like the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) constantly emphasize the negative effects of smoking on skin and hair health.
• Synergy with Other Treatments: The PRP process yields more powerful results when combined with other methods like hair mesotherapy or stem cell treatments. Furthermore, PRP applied after hair transplantation plays a critical role in accelerating healing.

Session Protocol and When to Expect Results

PRP is not a single-session treatment. An initial protocol of 3-4 sessions at intervals of 3-4 weeks is generally applied. Seeing the results requires patience:

• First 1-2 Months: A noticeable reduction in hair shedding is generally observed.
• Months 3-6: The emergence of new “baby hairs” begins, and an increase in the quality of existing hair (thickening, shine) is felt.
• Months 6-12: The final result of the treatment becomes clear during this period, with an increase in hair density.

Post-PRP care is an integral part of the treatment, and your active role in this process directly determines the success of the result. As Görkem Kazan Hair Transplant, we provide detailed care instructions specific to you after each session and answer all your questions throughout the process. To create a personalized treatment plan, you can contact us.